Freshmen's first perspectives
Issue date: 9/12/06 Section: Opinions
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The Paladin e-mailed several hundred freshmen asking for their expetations coming into Furman and their thoughts and opinions thus far. Here's the first round...
Since Furman starts later than other schools, I've had plenty of alone time the past few weeks to imagine what this year will be like and to create some expectations for it. I already can't wait for the new schedule to take effect so that I don't have time for all of this thoughtfulness, but now I'm looking forward to school more than ever. Most of all, I'm just glad to attend a college where I won't need binoculars to see the white boards or busses to traverse the campus. The work won't be easy, but I think that the professors' availability will keep me interested in and involved with whatever I study. Almost every face I will see will be a new one as well, so I hope that the school's smaller size will make it easy to get used to the new college lifestyle. It shouldn't be hard to feel at home at place that seems as relaxed as Furman, and even though I've never worn much purple, the next four years will undoubtedly be an amazing experience.
-Daniel Paulk
The lights on the stage radiated of purple, shining brightly on a banner welcoming none other than the Class of 2010. Finally, a realization. It was actually here. After several years of imagining, planning, and choosing, the college phenomenon was finally upon us. As we unloaded cars filled with belongings marking a full 18 years of living, we were met by the energy, spirit, and professionalism of hall and orientation staff. We were given more acronyms than our brains could hold. We heard speeches telling us that Furman is truly a place, "not only to go to, but to come from." We listened to the experiences of upperclassmen. We were put to ease by the support and knowledge of our advisors.
Furman to me, since my very first visit in 10th grade, always sent out visions of the perfect college experience. But it was through these first days that it became something better than perfect, something natural - an experience just as it should be. For me, as 700 of America's best college freshman raced around campus shouting "FU One Time! FU Two Times! FU Three Times! FU all the time!" this week became a steady assurance that I chose the right home.
- Andrew Barnhill
All I have to say so far is that I'm really impressed with the entire "O-Week" experience. Everything from computer services to academic advising has been a class act. Coming in, I had reservations about an entire week of orientation, but so far "O-Week" has been a blast, much better than the two-day orientation crash-courses that my college freshman buddies from other schools have faced. Plus, what school can top the sight of an entire freshman class running around covered in ice cream past a bell tower?
-Tyler Sniff
Since Furman starts later than other schools, I've had plenty of alone time the past few weeks to imagine what this year will be like and to create some expectations for it. I already can't wait for the new schedule to take effect so that I don't have time for all of this thoughtfulness, but now I'm looking forward to school more than ever. Most of all, I'm just glad to attend a college where I won't need binoculars to see the white boards or busses to traverse the campus. The work won't be easy, but I think that the professors' availability will keep me interested in and involved with whatever I study. Almost every face I will see will be a new one as well, so I hope that the school's smaller size will make it easy to get used to the new college lifestyle. It shouldn't be hard to feel at home at place that seems as relaxed as Furman, and even though I've never worn much purple, the next four years will undoubtedly be an amazing experience.
-Daniel Paulk
The lights on the stage radiated of purple, shining brightly on a banner welcoming none other than the Class of 2010. Finally, a realization. It was actually here. After several years of imagining, planning, and choosing, the college phenomenon was finally upon us. As we unloaded cars filled with belongings marking a full 18 years of living, we were met by the energy, spirit, and professionalism of hall and orientation staff. We were given more acronyms than our brains could hold. We heard speeches telling us that Furman is truly a place, "not only to go to, but to come from." We listened to the experiences of upperclassmen. We were put to ease by the support and knowledge of our advisors.
Furman to me, since my very first visit in 10th grade, always sent out visions of the perfect college experience. But it was through these first days that it became something better than perfect, something natural - an experience just as it should be. For me, as 700 of America's best college freshman raced around campus shouting "FU One Time! FU Two Times! FU Three Times! FU all the time!" this week became a steady assurance that I chose the right home.
- Andrew Barnhill
All I have to say so far is that I'm really impressed with the entire "O-Week" experience. Everything from computer services to academic advising has been a class act. Coming in, I had reservations about an entire week of orientation, but so far "O-Week" has been a blast, much better than the two-day orientation crash-courses that my college freshman buddies from other schools have faced. Plus, what school can top the sight of an entire freshman class running around covered in ice cream past a bell tower?
-Tyler Sniff